Working with with a LSSA accredited software suppliers – beneficial for both members and suppliers

Law firms, like every other business, rely on computer systems to provide a better service to their clients, to improve productivity and profitability, and – in many cases – to run more or less their entire organisation. Deciding on the most appropriate IT systems and software is therefore an important decision for any firm to make, and so is the choice of supplier. As such, when a law firm is looking to implement or make any changes to its legal IT system, many practitioners are now actively seeking out members of the Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) when forming their shortlist of potential suppliers.

As the UK industry body for legal systems developers and vendors, the LSSA sets and maintains professional standards within the industry, and also manages areas of mutual interest between lawyers and software providers. By remaining at the forefront of the latest emerging technologies, and also fully up-to-date with the legal sector’s constantly changing legislation, the LSSA is committed to developing clear channels of communication that will enable law firms to gain the maximum benefit from their selected software solutions.

Above all else, the LSSA was formed with the specific aim of promoting the highest standards and offering unbiased and well-informed guidance to law firms. To become a member of the LSSA, legal software suppliers need to meet a rigorous set of criteria, and comply with the LSSA’s strict Code of Practice. In addition, all LSSA members are required to have full professional indemnity and product liability insurance, at least two years’ continuous involvement in the legal market, and excellent references from their bank and existing customers.

Of course, there are benefits for the LSSA members, as well. The LSSA provides a highly representative and unified voice for the legal software industry, and is therefore best-placed to provide a key role and focus in establishing standards and cooperation between suppliers, professional bodies, and government organisations. The LSSA has set up – and actively contributes to – a number of different working parties and forums, representing and lobbying on behalf of its members with HM Land Registry, HMRC, PISCES, Court Service and the LSC.

LSSA members currently supply software to 76 percent of law firms in the UK, and to 87 percent of the firms that provide Legal Aid services. It is therefore in the interest of all LSSA members to ensure that their customers are able to deliver better services to clients, either by making existing services more efficient and responsive to their clients’ needs, by adding new services, or by improving the firm’s overall performance. After all, the LSSA is well aware that its own success will ultimately depend on the success of its clients.